Fishcake, wilted spinach and poached egg by Neil Forbes of Café St Honoré

We always sell out of these when they’re on the menu as they are just such a tasty way of eating. Ask your fishmonger for fish pie mix, and ask for the skin off. I’m not that keen on oily fish in my fishcake but salmon works well as the pink flesh stands out when you cut through the crunchy coating. This is a recipe that you’ll come back to again and again. A true classic.

For more information visit www.cafesthonore.com

Ingredients: Makes 4 fishcakes
250g fish pie mix 
3 large potatoes, peeled, boiled and mashed
1 lemon, zest and juice
1 tbsp. capers
1 tbsp. parsley, chopped
1tbsp. chives, chopped
2 spring onions, finely chopped
A splash of vinegar for the poached egg water
2 tbsp. plain flour
2 eggs, beaten, for egg wash
4 tbsp. breadcrumbs
4 eggs
2 big handfuls of washed spinach
A knob of butter
Good salt and pepper
Oil for frying
A little olive oil for drizzling

Method
1 Heat oven to 180°C.
2 Make a batch of mashed potatoes. Ensure it is still warm when making the fishcakes.
3 Next, place the fish on a baking tray and season. Place in the preheated oven until just cooked, flipping if necessary.
4 Once the fish is cooked, add it to a large mixing bowl with lemon juice and the mashed potato and gently combine. Then add the zest of lemon, capers, parsley, chives, spring onions and season. Combine, being careful not to over mix.
5 Divide the mixture into 4 and form into fishcakes. Place them on a sheet of greaseproof paper and leave in the fridge until fully chilled. 
6 Meanwhile season the flour and lay out the egg wash and breadcrumbs in small bowls. Coat each fishcake in flour, then egg wash then breadcrumbs.
7 Heat a deep fryer to 160°C and cook the fishcakes for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown all over, turning carefully if necessary. Place them in the oven (180°C) for a further 10 to 15 minutes until the centre of each fishcake is piping hot. 
8 Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to just below the boil and add a splash of vinegar. Crack the eggs into the water and poach for 3 to 4 minutes. 
9 Heat the knob of butter in a pan and wilt the spinach. Season with salt and pepper. This should only take 2 to 3 minutes. 
10 To serve, arrange the spinach on warmed plates, placing the piping hot fishcake on top with the egg on top of that. Drizzle with a little olive oil, and finish with a grind of salt and pepper.

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